I have a very old fiddle bow i found years ago at a flea market. When I took it in to have it re-haired and got it back. I was told not to loosen it after playing. I have never been told this before. Just checking to see if this is normal advice.
Edited by - Collins on 10/26/2025 19:40:03
Why not? Was there a reason for this advice? My violin teacher taught me to always loosen the bow hairs before putting my bow away.
He had a difficult time getting the hair to stay in, and said he has it set just where it needs to be. He claims its a high dollar bow and honestly its the best bow I ever used. Which makes me more worried on warping the bow from prolong tightness.
quote:
Originally posted by CollinsI have a very old fiddle bow i found years ago at a flea market. When I took it in to have it re-haired and got it back. I was told not to loosen it after playing. I have never been told this before. Just checking to see if this is normal advice.
This is horrible and dangerous advice. If a bow is left at tension it will warp, lose camber, break, wear out hair faster, or any or all of the above. A bow should always be loosened after playing for the sake of both stick and hair. If the bow has any value, the last thing you want o do to it is kill it by deforming it.
If the bow can't be loosened normally, there is either something wrong with the bow structurally that needs to be addressed before the bow is played or it has not been rehaired properly.
quote:
Originally posted by CollinsHe had a difficult time getting the hair to stay in, and said he has it set just where it needs to be. He claims its a high dollar bow and honestly its the best bow I ever used. Which makes me more worried on warping the bow from prolong tightness.
That sounds very fishy to me. If he wasn't able to fit the hair correctly because there's something wrong with the bow tip, he shouldn't have rehaired it, and should have told you what sort of repairs would be necessary to make it work.
The foolish advice he gave you about not loosening the hair suggests to me that he just doesn't know how to fit a tip wedge, and really ought to give you a refund.
First thought is that the tip plug is loose and the tight hair is keeping it in place.. Loosening may allow the tip to come apart... Anyone agree with me???
My bad.. I should have read Dan's post before I made a post.. I agree with you, Dan.
Bad advice. Loosen the hair and if it comes out, seek a different (better) luthier.
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